Doha, June 12 (QNA) - In its editorial on Sunday, the English-language newspaper The Peninsula said that with more than five months to go for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, excitement is already in the air in Qatar, which is getting ready to host the first ever football showpiece in the Middle East, where World Cup logo and flags of the qualified teams are on display giving a sense of excitement to the passers by.
The FIFA World Cup collection is available in all the shopping malls and is getting an overwhelming response particularly from young football fan, the paper said. While it will be all about the action and the related activities when the World Cup kicks off on November 21, plenty of events and programmes have been planned by the host country in the build up for planet's most prestigious tournament, it added.
The Peninsula noted HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani's announcement that the country will host an all-year round arts and cultural offerings starting this autumn, a new initiative of the government, adding that she highlighted the Qatar Creates initiative of the Qatar Museums, which will be the animating force for spectacular cultural events and extraordinary special art experiences, confirming Qatar's reputation as an outstanding cultural destination both regionally and internationally.
The paper affirmed that the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) is also continuing its Fan Leader Activity pro-gramme, as last week the SC invited a group of Tunisian fans and community leaders for a visit to the 40,000-capacity venue Education City Stadium, adding that the SC will also host Saudi Arabia's Fan Activity at the same venue on June 15. Through the programme, the fan leaders will be able to connect with fan base in Qatar and around the world, to provide them with all the necessary information ahead of the tournament, the paper said.
Meanwhile, the two intercontinental play-offs at Al Rayyan's Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium this week will complete the 32-team line-up for the World Cup, the newspaper said.
In conclusion, The Peninsula said that Qatar 2022 will be the last World Cup to feature 32 teams as the tournament will be expanded to 48 nations for the 2026 edition to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. (QNA)